There are times when everyone can benefit from a change of scenery. When the comfort of my day-to-day routine becomes so mundane that I want to scream, I know it’s time to shake it up. I’m not talking about anything drastic—just enough change to keep life interesting. I know I’m not alone.

International Travel

Of course, travel is one obvious way to change the view. There’s nothing like a trip to a foreign land to alter your perspective. I’ve had the good fortune to visit South Africa and parts of India. Seeing the Big Five (African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and black and white rhino) from a jeep on an early morning safari or riding a took-took through the insanely crowded streets of Delhi are definitely effective ways to adjust your attitude and your outlook. When I look at photographs from those trips, I’m transported back to what I will always consider to be adventures of a lifetime.

Local Travel

If international travel isn’t in your budget, another option is exploring a nearby town. A few weekends ago, I drove three hours south and spent the weekend with a friend I hadn’t seen for a few years. Not only did we have a great time catching up, but we did what girls do best—shop. Saturday morning we went to the local produce market, and while we were in the cute downtown area, we checked out many of the local stores. Sunday, we went to breakfast and shared an enormous and delicious salmon-avocado-tomato bagel. By the time I got home on Sunday night, I was recharged and excited about the week.

Alter Your Route

Sometimes, as much as you want to get away, leaving town isn’t possible. Regardless, you can still change the scenery by altering your routine. Many of us are creatures of habit, and that can be a good thing. For me, a routine is what it takes to get things done. Most mornings are the same: coffee, write, exercise, and grocery shop. Afternoons are more flexible. Generally, they include more writing, phone calls, emails, cooking, and some socializing. Some days, I need to shake it up. Instead of the gym, I go for a hike. Instead of writing, I call a friend and suggest meeting for lunch, coffee, or a glass or two of wine. Instead of taking the freeway, I travel the back roads and explore streets and neighborhoods I’ve never seen before. Somehow, adjusting my schedule recharges my battery, improves my outlook, and adjusts my attitude.

Watch Movies and Read Books

The recent fires in California have filled my hometown with smoke, making outdoor exploration a bit challenging. Fortunately, I’ve been able to escape via movies on Netflix and by reading a few good mysteries. There’s nothing like binge watching and reading to change the landscape. Not sure what to watch? Rottontomatoes.com lists the best movies of 2017, the top 100 movies by genre, and the best movies of all time—and more! Looking for good books? Check out Goodreads.com. Read or write reviews, sign up for the 2018 reading challenge, and become a part of the community.

Adjust Your Attitude

Jan Fishler, MA, is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). She is also the author of Searching for Jane, Finding Myself (An Adoption Memoir), and has written several articles about alternative health and PTSD. You can learn more about Jan at www.JanFishler.net.

“What’s your favorite movie of all time?” That’s the most recent question I asked on Facebook. I have seen some of these, but not all of them. But thanks to this list, it will be a while before I agonize over what movie to watch on Amazon or Netflix.

In my thirties, I lived right around the corner from a movie theater. Five days a week, after work, the bus would drop me off in front of it. Back then, there wasn’t a movie I didn’t see. One time, when I got locked out of my apartment and was waiting for my roommate to get home, I watched Clockwork Orange three times.

Back then, I went to the movies so often that my favorite dinner was popcorn. Now that I’m more health conscious, I’d say it’s popcorn, broccoli, and wine.

I’m a big fan of watching movies on a big screen at a theater built in the 1930s. I know—I could get a 75-inch television, but watching movies at home just isn’t the same. Part of the fun is hearing the reactions of other people in the theater.

Here are 53 favorite movies from 53 of my Facebook friends. If your favorite movie isn’t on the list, please add it to the comments section.

Back Street (the 1961 version with with Susan Hayward and John Gavin)

Harold and Maude

Best in Show

Splendor in the Grass

It’s a Wonderful Life

Christmas Story

Amelie

Jaws

Jurassic Park

Somewhere in Time

The Notebook

The Holiday

Cloud Atlas

Princess Mononoke

On Golden Pond

Doctor Zhivago

Life Is Beautiful

Juno

Romeo And Juliet (the One with Olivia Hussey)

Casablanca

Who’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Harold and Maude

Joe Vs the Volcano

Godfather I – II

Life’s a Breeze (and all movies with Fionnula Flanagan)

James Joyce’s Women

Cabaret

The Fountain

Renegade

Bird Cage

Sophie’s Choice

The President’s Analyst

Dirty Dancing

The Shape of Water

La Strada

Groundhog Day

Holy Man

To Kill a Mockingbird

Benny & Joon

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Under the Tuscan Sun

Manage

The Quiet Man

Witness

The Loved One

Truly, Madly, Deeply

Still Alive

Tombstone

Plan Nine from Outer Space

Sweet November

Dances with Wolves

There Will Be Blood

The Dressmaker

Jan Fishler, MA, is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). She is also the author of Searching for Jane, Finding Myself (An Adoption Memoir), and has written several articles about alternative health and PTSD. You can learn more about Jan at www.JanFishler.net.